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| ABOUT OMAN |
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| TRAVEL & TOURISM |
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| ENTERTAINMENT |
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| SHOPPING |
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| FOOD & DINING |
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| LINK DIRECTORY |
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| Cuisine |
It is no wonder that Omani
cuisine is a tasty blend of
flavours as Oman lies at the crossroads of the Middle East,
Africa, and the Far East. A long tradition of seafaring and
trade has brought culinary influences to the Sultanate from
the far reaches of the known world. Over time these have been
adopted into the ethnic tastes of the country. The diverse
terrain of the country has created styles of cooking that vary
from region to region.
The first thing that most visitors will sample is Omani coffee
(kahwa). Rich and aromatic, Kahwa has a remarkable taste of
its own giving it a place of its own amongst the traditional
bevarages
found in the Middle East. Served from the typical metallic or
ceramic jug called 'Dallah' into tiny cups, kahwa is made from
fresh coffee beans that are roasted and ground to a fine
powdery consistency. This is then brewed with water and
spices, notably cardamom and is served without sugar. The
traditional accompaniments to Kahwa are dates and 'Halwa'. You
will find fresh and dried dates at most supermarkets. Halwa is
a confection made from sugar and spices and flavoured with
sesame seeds or almonds. This rich flavourful dish is a local
favourite.
Aroma is intrinsic to the cuisine and comes from the variety
of spices that are liberally used, cinnamon,
cardamom,cloves,black pepper, onion ,ginger, garlic and lime
but the piquancy that marks Asian cuisine is missing.
But one thing cannot be denied is that Omani hospitality that
accompanies the serving of every meal. Food and festivity go
hand in hand and festivals are celebrated with special dishes
that are a gourmet's delight. The two main religious
festivals- Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha feature specially
prepared dishes. The principal dish is Shuwa, the preparation
of which sometimes whole villages participate. An entire cow
or goat is marinated in a mix of dried spices, wrapped in
banana leaves and then roasted for over 48 hours in a special
underground pit oven.
Eid al Fitr is celebrated at the end of the holy month of
Ramadan, the month of fasting. In Dhofar and Wusta, the
festivities commence with ruz al mudhroub, a dish of rice is
served with fried fish and maqdeed (specially dried meat). In
Muscat, Al Batinah, Dahira and the Sharqiya muqalab is
included in the menu. This dish made of tripe and duck
flavoured with ground and crushed spices. Other dishes include
arisia, lamb cooked with rice and mishkak, chargrilled,
skewered meats (kebabs).
During Ramadan, when breakfast occurs only after sunset, the
two popular dishes served during this time are sakhanka, a
thick sweet soup made of wheat, date molasses and milk and
fatta, a meat and vegetable dish mixed with Omani unleavened
bread, khubz rakhal.
This breaking of the fast, known as Iftar, is celebrated in
every Omani home as well as in major hotels and restaurants.
A wide variety of soups can be found in the daily cuisine,
made from lentils,vegetable, lamb or chicken. Omanis are also
fond of salads made from fresh vegetables, smoked eggplant,
tuna, dried fish and watercress. Main course dishes are many
ranging from Marak, a vegetable curry, to smoked
kebabs,barbecued, grilled, curried meats, chicken and fish.
Rice is used extensively from plain steamed to biryanis. An
array of breads can also be savoured from plain, unflavoured,
to those flavoured with dates, sesame, thyme and garlic. Round
off a robust Omani meal with the rich, dark and temptingly
sweet halwa for a completely satisfying experience.
Where to savour the flavours of Oman
Seblat Restaurant at the Al Bustan Palace hotel.
This is the most authentic experience of traditional Omani
hospitality complete with tents, swaying palms, the fragrance
of frankincense and sweet smell of rose water. Live folk
dances are performed including the traditional sword dance.
Women can have their hands and feet decorated in henna,
another Omani tradition.
Ofair Public Foods Restaurant
Located next to the Al Khuwair Shell filling station this
restaurant has 13 ethnically furnished rooms that can
accommodate upto 150 persons. A three-course meal costs under
R.O. 2.000 per person.
Bin Atique for traditional Omani Foods
Located next to Ofair this restaurant offers a variety of
northern and southern Omani cuisine. |
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All
materials in this site is subject to the views and opinion of the
developers who cannot be held responsible towards any misconception
and misinterpretation. All information on this site is only for
general use and in the interest of the public
